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Private wildlife licences

Most wildlife species require you to have a licence from the Conservation Regulator. There are four types of wildlife licences available for people to keep wildlife at home.

Want to know more about your licence obligations?

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Do I need a wildlife licence?

Most wildlife species require you to have a licence from the Conservation Regulator.

A wildlife licence is required to keep any animals listed in Schedules 2, 3 and 7 of Wildlife Regulations 2024(opens in a new window). If a species (or sub-species) is not listed in these schedules, it cannot be held under a Wildlife Basic or a Wildlife Advanced Licence. For more information on private basic and advanced licences, the conditions that apply and how to comply, see Private Wildlife Licence guide(opens in a new window).

A Dingo Licence is required to keep dingoes as a pet or privately. For more information on dingo licences, the conditions that apply and how to comply, see Dingo Licence guide(opens in a new window).

A Wildlife Specimen Licence is required to keep any prepared or mounted specimens of wildlife for non-commercial purposes.

You do not need to apply for a wildlife licence for species listed in Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Regulations 2024(opens in a new window) if you are keeping for non-commercial purposes. However, you must acquire animals from a lawful source (for example, the holder of a Wildlife Dealer Licence). Animals cannot be taken from the wild.

A licence is not required to possess processed wildlife products (other than by taxidermy) from the following wildlife:

Applying for a wildlife licence

Before applying for a private wildlife licence, you should determine what type of licence you need. Refer to Private wildlife licenses for information about the different types.

You can now apply online Apply for a Wildlife Basic Licence, a Wildlife Advanced Licence, a Wildlife Specimen Licence, or a Dingo Licence.

Please do not use an application form in order to renew an existing Wildlife Licence. If you are looking to review your licence, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 136 186.

Apply now

Alternatively you can download the form below:

Private Wildlife Licence Application Form (July 2025) Word 223.71 KB (opens in a new window)

Dingo Licence Application Form (July 2025) Word 213.97 KB (opens in a new window)

Hard copy application forms can also be sent to you by phoning the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

You can view the Wildlife Regulations 2024.

Please ensure that you provide all required information as part of your application. Missing information will result in a delay in processing your application.

An inspection will be required as part of the application process for all Dingo Licences and may be required in some other instances. You will be contacted by the Conservation Regulator if this is the case.

Licence fees

Do not include payment with your application – if your application is successful, a payment notice will be sent to you with appropriate fee.

From 1 July 2025, the maximum cost for each type of private wildlife licence in the following table is provided as a guide only, as the licence fee is pro-rata by month. Discounts apply for licences issued for three years.

Type Full fee (1 year) Concession (1 year)
Wildlife Basic Licence $140.70 $70.30
Wildlife Advanced Licence $260.50 $130.20
Dingo Licence $201.70 $100.80
Wildlife Specimen Licence $21.00 $10.50

Please note that once licence fees are paid, refunds will not be issued for change of mind. If you have a specific refund enquiry, please contact wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Concession eligibility

You’re eligible for a concession on the cost of a private wildlife licence if you hold the following cards:

Student card and seniors cards do not meet concession eligibility requirements.

Details about eligible concession cards are available from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Submit your application

Email your completed application to wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

You can also post your application to:

DEECA Permissions Delivery 475 Mickleham Road Attwood VIC 3049

Your wildlife licence cannot be emailed to you, it must be issued with a hard copy record book.

You must not buy or possess any wildlife (except those species where a licence is not required) until you have received your licence and Record Book.

What happens after I have submitted an application?

Once your application is received, it will be assessed as quickly as possible.

If your application is successful you will be sent a payment notice for your licence.

Upon receipt of your payment, your licence and record book will be posted to you in approximately two weeks. Your wildlife licence cannot be emailed to you, it must be issued with a hard copy Record Book.

You must not buy or possess any wildlife (except those species where a licence is not required) until you have received your licence and record book.

Wildlife licence types

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This type of licence authorises the holder to possess, keep, breed, buy, sell and dispose of wildlife listed in schedules 2 and 7 of the Wildlife Regulations 2024(opens in a new window) for non-commercial purposes.

The minimum age for applicants is 10 years of age. Applicants under 18 years of age will need the signed consent of their parent or legal guardian.

Wildlife basic licences are available for 1 or 3 years and have a common expiry date of 30 September of the relevant year.

For more information on private basic licences, the conditions that apply and how to comply, see Private Wildlife Licence guide(opens in a new window).

Species List for a Basic Wildlife Licence PDF 147.99 KB (opens in a new window)

This type of licence authorises the holder to possess, keep, breed, buy, sell and dispose of wildlife listed in schedules 2, 3 and 7 of the Wildlife Regulations 2024(opens in a new window).

The minimum age for applicants is 10 years of age. Applicants under 18 years of age will need the signed consent of their parent or legal guardian. Applicants under the age of 18 wishing to keep venomous snakes must provide documentary evidence of competency in the handling of venomous snakes with their application.

Wildlife advanced licences are available for one or three years and have a common expiry date of 30 September of the relevant year.

For more information on private basic licences, the conditions that apply and how to comply, see Private Wildlife Licence guide(opens in a new window).

Species List for a Advanced Wildlife Licence PDF 176.53 KB (opens in a new window)

This type of licence authorises the holder to possess, keep, buy, sell and dispose of prepared or mounted specimens of dead wildlife.

A Wildlife Specimen Licence is available on a monthly pro-rata basis for up to 3 years. The next common expiry date is 30 September 2028’.

A Dingo Licence authorises the holder to:

A Dingo Licence only applies to the keeping of pure dingoes. The keeping of hybrid animals does not require a wildlife licence but are required to be registered and managed as dogs under the Domestic Animals Act 1994(opens in a new window) and local laws.

Please note that dingo enclosures must be constructed prior to an application for the Dingo Licence. Applicants for a Dingo Licence must be 18 years of age or older.

A Dingo Licence is available for one or three years and has a common expiry date of 30 June of the relevant year.

Standards for keeping dingoes

A dingo enclosure meeting the requirements listed below must be constructed at the premises listed in the licence application prior to a person applying for a Dingo Licence.

Dingo enclosures must meet the standards below:

It is a condition of any dingo licence that the licence holder must keep the dingoes at a premises specified in the licence. If a dingo licence holder moves address, new dingo enclosures meeting the specifications above must be built at the new address before dingoes may be moved to the property, and the licence updated to reflect the new address as the specified premises.

A wildlife licence is not required to keep wildlife listed in the following document for private purposes, provided the animals have been acquired lawfully and have not been taken from the wild.

Taxa that may be held privately without a wildlife licence Word 23.62 KB (opens in a new window)

A licence is not required to possess processed wildlife products (such as leather goods) derived from the following wildlife:

This exemption does not apply to preserved or mounted wildlife specimens prepared by a taxidermist.

Secondary permissions

Wildlife Regulations 2024 require the holder of certain types of wildlife licence to obtain prior written permission before conducting certain transactions.

Apply now

The most common secondary permissions are:

Alternatively, you can email your request to wildlifelicensing@deeca.vic.gov.au

Updated 13 January 2026

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